Done with Religion … Not Done with God

Frustrated with Christianity

Have you ever felt frustrated with modern-day Christianity? Obviously the church today is not what God intended and in America the church has become a big corporation more than anything.

On the other hand, no matter what church or Christian group you belong to it seems we just cannot accept each other. We always have groups that say one thing and then along comes another that says something completely different. Then one group gets mad and argues their point and it just seems fruitless to continue debating one another. One group says this is the way to do it, the other says no your way is wrong but our way is the way to do it.

Obviously this is not to say that the advice of trusted Christian friends should be avoided, but the continual arguing over differences, doctrines and interpretations should be something we stay away from at all costs.

I am at a point where I am frustrated with this type of Christianity and ready to say forget it. God loves me. There is nothing I have to do or stop doing to receive God’s love. I am saved through faith in Jesus Christ and I have the Holy Spirit living within me. I do not have to listen to this group or that group, this speaker or that preacher. God can guide me in the way He wants me to go and I no longer should worry about my reputation or what others think as long as I am living pleasing to my Father. Does anyone else feel this way too?

I really think if we accept God’s love for us the way we are, follow Him by being willing to do what He wants us to do and listen to the guiding of the Holy Spirit within us we will be OK no matter what others say. We no longer have to be tossed to and fro by listening to all the different voices in Christianity today. We need to listen and trust God and enjoy the fellowship we have with Him through Christ.

65 Responses

Since you imply that the Holy Spirit talks today to people, heed this and realize that God does require you to heed a man of God. Why? Because He has set such people to teach, and if you are of God, then you hear what such a person says.

Hi Alan, thanks so much for taking the time to read my article and to post a comment. I appreciate it. We are not going to see eye to eye on this but I appreciate that we all are responsible to follow God in the way we feel is right. I believe that many of us Christians today have been taught that God is way up there somewhere, separated from us and some day when we get to heaven we will be in his presence. Unfortunately I do not believe that is the way it is. We are told that Christ lives within us now, that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit now, that we have the mind of Christ now, that we are kings and priests, so the body is a priesthood of all believers now. There is no person higher than another in the body of Christ. I feel when we allow any person to have spiritual authority over us we are putting someone between Jesus, the head of the body and us. We no longer need a human intermediate because we have the Spirit of Jesus who is the Word of God living within us. I feel most of us have a hard time believing that the Spirit of Christ is really living within us, or we are just to unsure of ourselves to be able to know the voice of the Spirit. Although Jesus does say that we are his sheep and his sheep know his voice. I do believe we need our brothers and sisters in Christ for fellowship, discussion, prayer and enjoyment. Obviously we can learn from one another but it is not done in a sense of someone having authority over another. We should not put any human above us or as a spiritual leader over us. We each have a part to play in the body and we are all equally important and necessary parts of the body with Jesus as the head. So in that since I disagree, we do not need a man or woman of God in authority over us. We do need to come along side each other as brothers and sisters in Christ and in a servant lifestyle to help, support and encourage one another. Yet the only authority we should be listening for is the voice of the Spirit of Christ within us. Again thanks for reading and commenting on my article.

Very interesting post and sadly enough far too many blogs that seem to echo the same frustrations you shared.

I will admit, I hesitated before commenting since you mentioned the fact that we all have different views/ideas. This is a solid point and we should all respect each other because we are brethren in the faith.

As I read and skimmed through the previous comments and replies posted, one thought or rather question came to mind: Why has the Body of Christ become so divided? Oh, we could go on and on in endless discussion or list bullet points, quote scriptures, talk about history, etc.

Truth be told, we ARE forgetting that there is an ENEMY who from day one never ceases to cause division among God’s people (Judas’ betrayal was the first ever recorded). Furthermore, we have modern day Pharisees that continuously drill religion, legalism, man-made dogmas, long set of rules, etc., to further gain control of the masses to turn them away from a personal, loving and freedom-filled relationship with Jesus.

We cannot continue to point fingers and place the blame on the “church” or organization for our disappointments. The first thing I learned as a new believer is that Christianity is not a religion but a way of life. How we choose to live and speak is a direct reflection of the personal relationship you have with God. It’s PERSONAL and man – well, they fail and we forget that they are human and imperfect just like us. Since when does the God of heaven look for the perfect vessel to use for His Kingdom? He chooses the least among men, the runt of the liter or the illegitimate son of Jesse who later was anointed to be King of Israel.

Friends, the reason I say all this to you is that we all need to stop and go back to scripture and really read the entire chapter before we make decisions that may bring damage, or better yet grieve the heart of God.

My spirit becomes alive as I read through the first two chapters of Acts. I am reminded of the early days of purpose-filled, praying, Holy Ghost filled and inspired group of individuals who were given a mission to spread the gospel. Moreover, who were gathered in a small upper room/building/shack/cottage (or whatever we want to “label” it) and were UNITED AS ONE.

God bless you and thank you for sharing your story and allowing me to share my thoughts!

Thank you Melissa, many good points. I think you hit on some of the main reasons for all the division. If we could just enjoy the presence of Jesus and accept each other even in our differences it would be a help. Thanks again for your comment.

And thank you again for sharing your heart, it has provoked me to think and start up the sleeping writing giant within. I will continue to pray that the Lord guide you and your family in all that you do! Networking and connecting with like-minded people makes a huge difference 🙂

Awesome, that means a lot. My heart is not only to teach the Body of Christ but also to reach to reach the masses. I believe that 2017 is going to be a great year for all of us. I’m currently working on my first blog in over 3 years. So, please keep me in prayer! Thanks again!

I think that it depends on the church, but you are right that a lot of churches today are very one sided and unwilling to compromise. I think the important thing with church is simply having a community, connecting with others who share faith, and learning from each other. If a church is pushing any specific doctrine or idea too hard I think they are simply missing the point of why we should congregate in the first place. No one understands God or the Bible entirely, and we should accept that.
I agree that as long as we have the holy spirit within to guide us, we have no need to fight over our different perspectives or push others to accept our points of view on such matters.

You are 100% correct in your assertion that the church has not lived up to God’s intent for it… The church was intended to be a place where encouragement, teaching, and fellowship took place. A place where love abounded and hatred was rejected. That is obviously not the case today. Most churches have become the home of anger, resentment, and disputes.

I’m going to attempt to put forth what I have to say next in the best way I can… I’m only 22 years old and have a lot of learning left to do in my life, but I offer a warning for complete abandonment of the church. (straight from the Bible because my opinion frankly doesn’t matter that much)

Hebrews 10:25 “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

I am going to plead that you not entirely turn your back on church for two reasons. First, there is the fact that Christ established the church to be a place for you to grow closer to Him. He established a place where you could escape the foolishness of this world and find comfort in the presence of fellow-believers. It is so important that we have those relationships and hear the preaching of God’s word because none of us are perfect, and we need accountability. We need to have people we can rely upon to tell us when our attitudes are wrong or our actions are sinful… (and then we have to listen… way harder)

Second… The people in the church need *you* to help them… Imagine if every Christian who realized the condition of the church simply gave up and walked away. Who would be left to encourage new converts? Who would be left to minister to the weak and hurting? Where would the struggling Christian turn for help? Those responsibilities don’t fall upon the pastor, as we often like to think. Your church needs you to fulfill those roles. *Especially* if it is in as awful of a state as you suggest…

I propose the opposite of abandonment is needed. True Christians who see the church falling need to rush in and commit themselves to holding up the weak. It is possible that there are very few dedicated Christians in your church, but I doubt you are the only one seeing this happening. Step up! Encourage those around you to remember exactly what Christ gave up for this church! Encourage them to love. Encourage them to put aside silly arguments and resentment and do *not* hate them or give up when they don’t!

Praise the Lord he did not abandon or give up on me when I first rejected him! The church, more than ever, needs strong pillars. It needs members who will not compromise. It needs members who will love without fail, forgive without resentment, and bear one another’s burdens willingly. And if you won’t, who will?

God has placed you in the church you are in for a reason… He knows what you need *and* he knows what the church needs. Don’t abandon it now when it needs you most.

Thank you so much for reading my article. I appreciate your concern and appreciate you taking the time to write such an informative comment. I think we may be saying some of the same things only in different ways. First thing is in regard to church itself. I do not see church as a brick and mortar building where we go once a week. I see Church as people who are the followers of Christ. I do not feel I have abandoned the Church since the Holy Spirit lives within each of us who are his children. Jesus is the head and each of us make up the body. My wife and I have left the building and have no regrets over that and no plans on returning to the four walls. We feel each of us are equally functioning parts of the body and we each have something to say and do that helps the body. Sitting in an organized service each week listening to one person talk and just looking at the back of the heads of other people does not seem like taking an active part. Now we do not believe it is wrong to be a part of the organized church We were part of it for nearly 40 years and had many good experiences, yet we came to feel this system was not what God intended and we became very unsatisfied. After several years of feeling this way and much prayer we felt led by the Spirit to leave the man-ordained system and walk with God outside the walls of organized religion. Again let me say, we have not left the Church and we love those who are still a part of the organization. The Hebrews verse is used so many times in regard to church attendance yet we feel it is not talking about an organized meeting once a week sitting and listening to one person talk. Hebrews to us is talking about needing our brothers and sisters in Christ for relationship and ongoing fellowship each and every day where ever and when ever the Spirit brings us together. We meet with a few others often, sometimes in our homes and sometimes at a restaurant for dinner and fellowship. To us this is what it means to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Each of us, under the guidance and love of the Spirit are available every day to encourage, build up and make disciples of those Christ brings into our lives. Many times the organization tells us that we are to bring people into the church to hear the pastor tell them about the love of God. Yet we are told to go out into all the world and preach the gospel of the good news that God loves each of us. I know everyone does not see things the same and that is OK. God is perfectly able to lead and teach each of us whether it is in the institutional church or walking with Him outside the walls. I do not feel my wife and I have abandoned the church. Yes we have left the institution but that is only a building. It is used by God and many good things happen there, but for us Church is people. It is people under the guidance of the Holy Spirit living with the Father each and every day, seeking truth from the Spirit as he teaches us. We pray daily that the love of the Father will flow through us and we ask the Spirit to guide others to us for fellowship and encouragement. So many times people who need to hear and see the love of God in action will not go to a building and sit. As we go out into the world each day under the power and guidance of the Spirit we can touch people’s lives with the love of God in a way they may never find if we were sitting in a building. And fellowship outside of an organized meeting with other believers has been more meaningful since we are able to really talk and pray together and get to know one another and hear what God is doing in their lives. So we may see things a little differently but I believe we both are seeking to serve God and live for Him in a way we feel is best for us. Again I truly thank you for your concern and for taking the time to write.

I totally agree. The main reason I left the church was because if you didn’t think, act, and agree with everything in the church, you were gossiped about or seen as a person who needed more prayer and guidance. Instead of feeling free to be me, I felt like I had to conform. I just left Facebook due to all the disagreements about the election and all the arguments about doctrine, most of which from Christians.

I agree, and think it is incredibly confusing that different denominations of the Christian Church are wandering away from the word of the Bible in order to appease. Without being intolerant – a Church should stick to the word, be merciful and patient.
But as you express, better not get too confused:
It is more important to follow Jesus and God – than the Church or a priest.

There’s a good message here, but we must, as Christians, be ready to debate and defend our faith. I came to WordPress to do just that, and I’ve posted some blogs defending Christianity on an academic level. I think we must follow Christ’s commands to us, to defend the faith;

Mark 16:15-16; ” Then He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

Indeed, I’ve even gotten a few followers now! I didn’t expect this, but I’ll take it where it goes.

Christianity was a making of Antioch romanized people. I am a Child of God, Jehovah because we have the Spirit of Christ in us. This Christianity is biblical babylon. Run away from it systems, Revelation 18:4 and walk after the Spirit of Christ. That is it the journey is known destination. Religions are the biblical kingdoms that inflict violence on Christ Kingdom, the worst player being Christianity as it the religions of romans. Can you project its destinations – it is pointing towards hell than what it proffess it taking. This is the flood of last day – religion is lawlessness.

I struggled with this for a long time as well. I was so frustrated with the different denominations in Christianity and wondered why would it have to be so complicated. However, ultimately there is only one God and one truth. That’s why I’ve been solely dependant on giving all my confusion, frustrations, worries to the Lord Jesus Christ. Continuously in my prayers I pray, “Lord lead me to where you want me to be, lead me to your truth, not my own will, not my own wants but yours be done in my life. Help me Lord to discern right from wrong, truth from false, because Lord my heart genuinely seeks to be your disciple. I ask this in the precious name of Jesus Christ.” Remember to depend on God alone, through prayer. God sees in our hearts and knows our truest desire and needs. He won’t fail us 🙂 may the Lord bless and lead you!

Wonderful! I am thankful that many of us band together and write to reach many many people. If I may encourage anyone to please visit my official website ministry. I m looking to really engage with other writers so that we can share each others thoughts and facts we find in our journey to awaken the masses. Please do share and follow @ https://godheaddisciple.org/ I can assure you, you will leave blessed. Thank you again for your time and devotion to serve the Lord Jesus Christ!!

I walked away from Church for 15 years for many of the reasons you have listed here. I finally returned to the Church after such a long hiatus when I randomly visited a United Methodist Church. Right away I saw such an incredible commitment to service, particularly to the poor and forgotten, that I was immediately drawn in. I’ve been going now for 4 years and that commitment to service hasn’t ended. Show God’s love by serving everyone.

I really appreciated reading your honesty. Not too many people are honest about their frustrations with church as it is today. Many just tend to go with the status quo and stay silent. But you touched on alot of things that I feel the same about in regards to the church. Especially the notion of the church not being a building but God’s people. Going back to this organic understanding I believe is the first place for us to begin healing and reconciling in Christ. I believe your frustration is actually a form of lament knowing and trusting that, through the Holy Spirit, Christ will truly be revealed. Continue in your walk with God loving him and neighbor faithfully my friend.

This was an an excellent read. Religion has done its damage to both Christian and the none Christian. Christians who are brothers and sisters in Christ are divided. A person seeking Jesus gets turned away because they are too sinful. I am having a hard time finding Jesus in these man made monuments to the works of their own hands. Yet everyday Jesus talks with me shows me His love and guides me with His word. I still go to church because of the need for fellowship but I am not as happy there as I once was. I am learning more and more home churches are popping up. People trying to get back to how it was when Jesus walked this earth.

So true Julie. Although if anyone chooses to be a part of the traditional organization there is nothing wrong with it. I grew up in it and was lead to Christ there and learned many things. Yet many things were based on the doctrine of the particular denomination and these are some of the things I am unlearning now lol. The traditional church is not what God intended and is not the Church that Jesus is building. We keep following the leading and guidance of the Spirit and look for fellowship with other members of His Church each day. Thanks for your comment.

I walked away from a traditional Anglican Church in the UK in the early 1970’s.
It’s been a very long story and I’ve just finished rewriting the introduction to my blog. Why do we have more than 30,000 different Christian denominations.
We are all on different journeys – and we are all seeing just a small part of the overall picture. What can we learn from each other?

Maybe we need to encourage people to ask questions and think for themselves.

Thanks Peter. Living for God outside the walls of religion creates a sense of freedom and the opportunity to ask many questions we were afraid (or forbidden) to ask within the system. I hope many people will come to your website and join in the conversation. Thanks for the comment.

Very thought provoking blog and comments. I am very disappointed with what we call the church in America. We need to make sure we know the proper definition of “Church” as defined in the bible. It’s about the people not the place! Keep up the good work fellow disciple.

The “church” as many Americans know it is dying. Study after study shows numbers are declining rapidly, and the younger generation is not going to be as devoted to “church” as the older generation is and has been. But maybe that’s not a bad thing! As you said, church has become more of an institution than anything truly Spirit-led or Spirit-driven. People think if something uses Bible verses and feels good, it’s Spiritual, but that’s simply not true. This post just confirms that more and more are waking up to this reality.

And here’s one verse that lines up with what you’ve shared. It’s one of my favorites:

“As for you, the anointing which you received from him remains in you, and you don’t need for anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, you will remain in him.” (1 John 2:27 WEB (R))

It’s even come to a point for me where I try to avoid certain conversations.
The next time when it comes to a salvation debate I’m even ready to say “fine I’ll go to hell then if that’s what you wanna believe” just to make them shut up about it :p

I don’t get how some people don’t see the superfluousness of the endless debating. But then again, sometimes I am that guy myself…we all need grace and plenty off it I guess. If only we could stop about how “those other christians” aren’t going to get any.

Sorry that you have been frustrated with church, the truth is that the church your frustrated with probably didn’t handle things well and your being in someway selfish (when someone is upset with the church, this is true most of the time), but it’s worth it to forgive one another and pursue unity as clearly described in most of New testament. Also, the book of Hebrews states, “do not fail to meet together” and the church is also a common method that God chooses to bless his people and one that we get to participate in mission and discipleship. I understand your frustration with people and other believers, it’s ok to find a different biblical church, but don’t give up on the church. Not because of my opinion but because of God’s design for our life. Read “Life Together” by Bonhoeffer, the best book on community there is.

Thank you for your comments and concern. I spent nearly 60 years in the church, yet I find that the church organization is not what God meant in building his Church. We are the temple, he lives in us. I don’t believe that the verse forsake not the assembling is talking about a building on a set day with an organized service. It just means we need one another, and the Church is each of us daily living in the power of the Spirit, spending time together and building one another up. Many people enjoy the organization, but my wife and I are finding a joy, freedom and meaningful fellowship outside the walls of organized religion. Thanks again for your concern and for your comment. Also see my article on this at https://donewithreligion.com/?s=Modern+day+church&submit=Search

I want argue that what your wanting cannot exist outside of set locations and services, but my concern would still be about scripture calling out a design for community that has qualified leadership (elders and deacons) that are to equip the saints (us) for ministry and while leadership should serve joyfully not domineering we should also submit to them (Hebrews 13:17). Not arguing against you but just for the church. I would ask you to stick with the church and grab some youth to pour your 60+ years of experience into.

I don’t take your comments as arguing, just two of God’s kids seeing things in different ways. I am just trying to follow where I feel the Spirit leading. Whether church in a building with all the organization or being the Church outside the walls, we both seek the same thing….love God and love one another, following Christ daily and enjoying fellowship with our brothers and sisters. Thanks again for your comments.

70resolutions – “when someone is upset with the church, this is true most of the time” First thing is you have absolutely no way of backing up this claim. So from the other side, what I often see from people defending the “institution” (which is what you are doing here) is 1) hasty generalizations, 2) limited perspective (only read follow certain authors or pastors) and 3) proof-texts (quoting isolated verses from the Bible in an attempt to defend a particular philosophical viewpoint). Proof-texting, IMHO, is a terrible practice and is not a sound handling of God’s Word. Read “Beyond Church: The Lost Word Of The Bible- Ekklesia” by Steve Simms or “Finding Church” by Wayne Jacobsen.

No. I say most of the time, because people are in fact selfish. Myself included, so the last time I had a problem with the church I studied love in the New testament and saw how, sure I had an argument against leadership because they are imperfect but they weren’t trying to be un-loving, it was just a case of a couple people not in accordance with 1Corinthians 13 and other texts we laid out, but then we forgave each other and moved on. Also, when I say most of the time, I don’t believe churches or pastors fail in a particular case or sin against a member because they are trying to or being domineering, but we as members hold a record of wrongs and get bitter “most of the time” over petty and selfish things. However in some instances, pastors are unqualified or should be removed and/or churches should be revitalized or replanted or shut down. But as far as scripture references, the New Testament refers to one another, unity, together, specific local bodies of churches, elders over the local bodies of believers, dozens or hundreds of times. And if the New Testament is not about Christianity moving through the church, what is your best supporting scripture against the church? What I’m really saying is that we have more problems with people than God’s design for church, the only problem is that the church is made up of, led by, and ministers to, people. We need to have grace. As far as reading and exposure to different pastors, people, churches, I have not attended many churches because I have been committed to one church for the past 8 years, but I read books and listen to sermons by non-denom, bible, Baptist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, AoG, a few Methodists, I believe there are some things Christians must agree on but there are some liberties that allow different denominations.

70resolutions — “And if the New Testament is not about Christianity moving through the church, what is your best supporting scripture against the church?” Again, I think that depends on how you define “church”. I am not against Christ-followers gathering and meeting together and fellowshipping (Acts 2), and if fact I am greatly blessed when I am able to do that. To me, that can be considered “ekklesia” (church). What I am saying is that concerning “the church” the Bible is open to contextual interpretation. What the people conceived of as “the church” in NT times, and what we perceive as “the church” today, IMHO, should be analyzed and considered very carefully. There is zero support in Scripture for the concept of meeting indefinitely once a week to sit in a building and listen to the 1/2 hour to hour long sermon of a “vision” caster. From your comments it sounds like you see the Bible as a “rule-book” and that we have a list of obligations to fulfill. My understanding of the Bible has changed considerably and I don’t think the role of the Bible is to simply find “the best supporting scripture” for what I believe and what I do. I believe Bible study should be deeper than that.

Yes! I was just telling my mom this very thing today! How this resonates with me. I come from a long line of “good church going” folks, my dad is a pastor. I am the black sheep that Jesus left the 99 to find. And found am. But my gracious Lord, the scope of it all, and maybe part of it is social media and/or the internet where we can have it all at our fingertips, it’s exhausting. I’m with you. God has me. I’d rather be loving than right. Lord have mercy on me.

Unchurching – TED Talk

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Welcome. My blog is a place where readers will find writings of personal experiences, thoughts, and the peace that the Lord provides throughout my walk. I intend to bring inspiration and insight, as well as providing a very personal and transparent view into my life, in order to help others see their own lives in a different perspective. I strongly believe that we all need a different view at times, in order for our own personal growth to take place.